Running To Seattle: Hashbrowns

Why Team in Training

When my dad was diagnosed with Stage II pancreatic cancer in January of 2004, his oncologist decided to try a relatively new chemotherapy cocktail. This new chemo cocktail was showing promising results for the usually deadly pancreatic cancer. My dad underwent chemotherapy and radiation treatment until September 2004. As of this January 2009, he is five years post-diagnosis and cancer free!
Continuing cancer research to find advanced treatments for the disease is essential to utimately curing cancer. Since its formation in 1949, Team in Training has invested more than $600 million in research to leukemia, lymphoma, and myeloma. At least 75% of the money raised by participants goes directly towards this research.
When Mike and I decided we wanted to train to run a half-marathon, we found that Team in Training was a great fit. By receiving thorough training and guidance, we would be given all the tools necessary to run our first endurance race. The best part: we would raise money for cancer research! Cancer has touched both of our families: in addition to my dad's cancer, we've each lost a grandparent to the disease. We have an investment in cancer research, for our own long-term health!
Oh, and the bonus? I get to go to Seattle for the half-marathon!
To find out more about The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, please visit their website.
To find out how Team in Training allocates donation funds, click here.

Sunday, March 29, 2009

Hashbrowns

The last two weeks, I've had long runs (7 and 8 miles) that I needed to do on my own (I wasn't able to make it to the TNT trainings). I was a little daunted, but it went great! Thanks to the carrot dangling out in front of me - hashbrowns. Both weekends, I set up breakfast dates to meet me at the Custom House in Avila Beach for breakfast. I'd park my car in Shell Beach, run to the Custom House, and get my breakfast dates to drive me back to my car. If you've never eaten breakfast at the Custom House - run, don't walk, there (no pun intended) - the hashbrowns are AMAZING. I ran very similar routes each week, and chose a mostly coastal route with the last three miles along the Bob Jones trail - a gorgeous way to spend 90 minutes. I was so so so excited to finish the first run, when I ran across the bridge (the last part of the run), I couldn't wipe the smile of my face.

This past Saturday, our buddy Dean was in town and he agreed to ride Mike's bike alongside me. He had plenty of opportunities to hop of the bike and take pictures, so here are a few (now there's proof that I do in fact run, not just my dogs).

My legs were pretty sore yesterday. This week, we have a rest week, which means I will only run 12 miles this week instead of 18. Who hoo!!!